The NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, spanning nearly two weeks, showcased top rookies from the 2025 draft class, second-year players, and hopefuls aiming to secure rotation spots for the 2025-26 season. One major highlight was the debut of the first overall pick, Cooper Flag, who faced off against Bronnie James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite a shaky start, shooting 6-for-21 in his first game, Flag bounced back with a stellar 31-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs before being rested for the remainder of the league. While summer league performances can often lead to overreactions, it’s clear the Washington Wizards didn’t have a lottery pick as underwhelming as last year’s Alex Searle, who averaged just 5.5 points per game.
Flag, being one of only four college players ever to win National Player of the Year as a freshman, impressed overall, with a “C” grade for his debut and an “A” for his next game, earning an overall A- despite playing just two games. Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs also only played two games but made a strong impression as a rim attacker, showing promising potential as a bench player; he earned an A- grade.
The 76ers’ Edgecombe, renowned for his athleticism, only played limited games due to injuries but demonstrated his impact with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in his debut, earning an A- grade. Knuppel surprised with his shooting consistency after a slow start, fitting well alongside teammates Lamelo Ball and Brandon Miller, earning an A grade. Bailey, affected by injuries and controversy, showed decent potential from earlier games with a B grade.
Trejonson Johnson showed strong scoring abilities for the Wizards, averaging nearly 20 points across two games with impressive efficiency, earning an A- grade. Despite his efficiency, Fear struggled with turnovers, finishing with a C+ grade due to a high assist-to-turnover ratio. Dёmin from Brooklyn defied his poor college shooting stats by hitting 43.5% from three-point range in summer league but showed concerns in playmaking, resulting in a B-.
Defensive standout Murray Boyless impressed with his versatility and impact, scoring 20 points and securing rebounds and steals in a highlight game, earning a B+ grade. Mallach, picked 10th, showcased his defensive presence and willingness to stretch the floor despite modest shooting numbers, earning a B grade. Koward missed the summer league due to a shoulder injury (n/a grade), while Esenjou, youngest in his class, showed flashes of potential in limited appearances with a B- grade.
Derrick Queen stood out with consistent double-doubles but exhibited concerning turnovers and defensive issues, earning a B- grade. Carter Bryant of the Spurs displayed defensive prowess despite offensive struggles, earning a C+ grade for his effort and potential.
Fan Take: The Las Vegas Summer League serves as a crucial proving ground for NBA hopefuls to showcase their talents and make their mark early. These performances offer fans an exciting glimpse into the future stars of the league and hint at how teams might shape their rosters for the upcoming season.
